Tottenham should not loan out Ademola Lookman when he signs, and use him in the first-team instead

Spurs are hoping to complete the signing of Ademola Lookman before loaning him back to Charlton, the Sevenoaks Chronicle reports.

A potentially excellent prospect, Lookman has already scored three goals in nine Championship games this season, and it is no surprise that Spurs are already trying to tie up the services of a player expected to have a bright future.

It is claimed that the Lilywhites will loan Lookman back to Charlton for the remainder of the season, as was done with Dele Alli when he signed from MK Dons last January.

He stayed with the League One side knowing that first-team chances were unlikely, and has since arrived at White Hart Lane and established himself as a key play under Mauricio Pochettino.

However, Lookman should not be loaned out, and Pochettino should keep him at Spurs as part of the first-team set-up this term.

Alli stayed with the Dons as there were a number of midfielders ahead of him, but Lookman would sign and be a realistic second choice striker. There is no natural back-up to Harry Kane in the Spurs squad, and the 18-year-old forward would be getting minutes to his name on a consistent basis.

He would not be playing as much as he is at Charlton - where he has started seven of the nine games he has been involved in - but the youngster would be playing at a higher level, whilst learning from Pochettino, who has a proven record with youth players.

Spurs are looking to the future this transfer window, but Lookman is a player who should be around for his immediate impact, as well as for the long-term potential he brings to White Hart Lane.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.